4. Corollary: a combination of brakes

4.1 Context

As modern equipment requires ever greater braking capacity while minimizing operating costs, most rail vehicles are equipped with several types of brake: only towed vehicles (wagons and carriages) are still exempt from this rule.

When several types of brakes are installed on a vehicle or train, it is important to define the way in which they will be used according to several factors:

• the presence of wear-free brakes (dynamic brakes);

• the mechanical and thermal capacity of each type of brake (dynamic and friction) ;

• braking scenario: service, emergency, safety ;

• the status of each type of brake: in...